God’s Word is wisdom. Inside His Word God placed a series of lessons so we would never loose the ability to link scripture together so we can understand His plan of salvation. Each detail is woven in His Word – much like the intricate fabric used in His Tabernacle. His Word and the fine linen curtains in the Tabernacle were assembled with specific instructions. Jesus taught these instructions to His disciples during His ministry and explained them during the forty days between His resurrection and ascension. Since then, a few people in times when God most needed them, learned to use these simple techniques to study His Word. The method God’s Spirit uses to teach from His Word has never changed, neither has our excuses not to listen.

If you’re serious about learning how to study your Bible, why not learn directly from the source – GOD’s WORD. The gospels show the simple method Jesus taught. Paul used this method in the letters he wrote to the early church. The instructions have never left God’s Word, His Spirit never stopped teaching how to use the simple study rules God’s Word was written to follow. The prophecies Jesus fulfilled follow a specific sequence – each prophecy a lesson – each lesson teaches a basic rule of interpretation – each rule builds on the previous lesson.

This book does more than provide a list of prophecies about Jesus from the Old Testament and link them to written proof in the New Testament showing how and when they were fulfilled. The author goes over every step to explain how God’s Word is written so you can understand the specific relationship between each Old Testament and New Testament text. While reading this book you will learn techniques to search scripture, identify parallel texts, and how they are spiritually related through context – the lost art of Bible study. Context has a very special bearing on the relationship between prophecies and their fulfillment. God not only wrote each prophecy before it occurred, He recorded every fulfillment in His Word with perfect consistency. Something only God could accomplish.

If you’ve ever had trouble learning to study your Bible, you already know how difficult it can be to follow the rules, regulations, and procedures other authors try to convey. Their examples are difficult to follow and they use strange terminology almost impossible to comprehend. That’s not the way Jesus taught and that’s not the way Bible study is explained in the prophecies pointing to Jesus. God’s method of teaching has been around far longer than theology. It’s time to go back to the basics, and source of all wisdom. This book uses the Bible to break down every lesson and rule of context into simple terms which are fun to learn and easy to teach.

Reading through this book you will learn simple techniques to identify key words in prophecies and use those key words to search scripture and locate their fulfillment. Once you are comfortable with searching through the Bible, you’ll learn how God uses symbols and identifies each symbol in His Word. You will learn to match the symbol’s proper meaning by learning to study the context of each chapter. Once you understand the basic principles of context, you will learn to compare the Old Testament chapters containing prophecies to New Testament chapters explaining their fulfillment. It’s a simple process, but must be learned in specific steps. Following prophecies pointing to Jesus in the order they appear in the Bible teaches each step in the order God’s Spirit arranged them. It’s such a simple process, you’ll wonder why no one has ever used it before. By the time you reach the end of the book, you’ll have the skills to identify prophecies, their key words, and search for the fulfillment of each prophecy. You’ll also understand how God uses symbols, how to identify symbols, and how context explains the lessons each symbol teaches. Symbols always point to a far greater fulfillment. Once you learn the proper use of context, you will be able to identify scripture explaining the fulfillment and understand the spiritual lessons behind each symbol. Context goes beyond interpreting symbols. When you learn the proper use of context, you will find spiritual lessons in the Bible you never knew existed, but have been waiting on the the surface for someone like you to discover.

This series of books will help every reader willing to put in the time to learn basic Bible study concepts, allowing them to study scripture alone with God’s Spirit. Stories are designed to show how easy it is to put lessons in a form easy to remember and share.

Three of the main goals of this series:

Equip every reader with skills to effectively study God’s Word on their own, giving them the ability to learn the spiritual meaning of any scripture.

Develop a closer, more personal relationship with God’s Spirit.

Be an effective disciple for Jesus by learning how to share prophecies He fulfilled, teach others how to study, and learn from Jesus first hand.

Chapter 12

Deuteronomy 16:1-6 The Passover

Deuteronomy 17:6 Testimony of Two Or Three Witnesses

Deuteronomy 18:1-2 Levites Will Receive No Land

Deuteronomy 18:15-19 Raise Up A Prophet

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 Hanging From a Tree

Deuteronomy 16:1-6 The Passover

Deuteronomy 16:1-6 NLTse (1) “In honor of the LORD your God, celebrate the Passover each year in the early spring, in the month of Abib, for that was the month in which the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. (2) Your Passoversacrifice may be from either the flock or the herd, and it must be sacrificed to theLORD your God at the designated place of worship–the place he chooses for his name to be honored. (3) Eat it with bread made without yeast. For seven days the breadyou eat must be made without yeast, as when you escaped from Egypt in such a hurry. Eat this bread–the bread of suffering–so that as long as you live you will remember the day you departed from Egypt. (4) Let no yeast be found in any house throughout your land for those seven days. And when you sacrifice the Passover lamb on the evening of the first day, do not let any of the meat remain until the next morning. (5) “You may not sacrifice the Passover in just any of the towns that the LORD your Godis giving you. (6) You must offer it only at the designated place of worship–the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored. Sacrifice it there in the evening as the sun goes down on the anniversary of your exodus from Egypt.

God was very specific when He handed down instructions for the Passover celebration providing details including the specific date. The Bible is just as specific in recording Jesus’ crucifixion. Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. Jesus‘ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover. It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your king!” “Away with him,” they yelled. “Away with him! Crucify him!” “What? Crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the leading priests shouted back. Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. (John 13:1, 18:28, 19:14-18 NLTse, Matthew 27:25 KJV).

Another detail God repeated specifies that the sacrifice was to take place at a place He chooses for His name to be honored. How do these details relate to Jesus’ sacrifice on the Passover? There are a number of details to study which compare the Passover in relationship to Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus explained the spiritual meaning of the bread. As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26 NLTse). The absence of yeast was a symbol of Jesus’ perfect words and teaching. Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.'” Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16:11-12 NLTse). We learn more details about the Passover when we look back at the instructions given to Israel before leaving Egypt.

Exodus 12:1-14 NLTse While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the LORD gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron: (2) “From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you. (3) Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. (4) If a family is too small to eat a whole animal, let them share with another family in the neighborhood. Divide the animal according to the size of each family and how much they can eat. (5) The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects. (6)“Take special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter theirlamb or young goat at twilight. (7) They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal. (8) That same night they must roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with bitter salad greens and bread made without yeast. (9) Do not eat any of the meat raw or boiled in water. The whole animal–including the head, legs, and internal organs–must be roasted over a fire. (10) Do not leave any of it until the next morning. Burn whatever is not eatenbefore morning. (11) “These are your instructions for eating this meal: Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the LORD’sPassover. (12) On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstbornson and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD! (13) But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. (14) “This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD. This is a law for all time.

The first detail we see in Exodus 12 is. each family choose a perfect lamb and cared for it from the tenth to the fourteenth day of the first month. How does this relate to Jesus’ ministry? What did He teach during that time? In essence, the family taking special care of the lamb had time to develop a relationship with the animal chosen for the sacrifice. What does this tell us about Jesus? Does this show Jesus’ need to develop relationships before He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins?

As the head of the household, the priest of the family prepared to cut the neck of the lamb. He must have thought about his children who cared for the lamb. What were they going to think when they saw the lamb they helped pick out and cared for during the past few days sitting on the dinner table? The children fell in love with the innocent face. They loved feeding, watering and hugging the little lamb. As the head of the household looked into the face of the lamb, he saw the innocence of his children. He thought to himself how could he kill such a tender creature. Why would God ask him to do such a thing? As he held the lamb tight to his body watching its blood flow into a bowl until all went limp, he tried to find the right words so he could explain to his children what was happening.

Why does God explain one detail at a time? If you ever study the Bible while paying close attention to the sequence of events and lessons taught, you will notice, God has a habit of revealing details of His plan one step at a time. Why does He do that? Why doesn’t God just tell us everything at once? Remember your last romance? How did that begin? Did you turn to the one who captured your heart and say, “tell me your life story in two hours?” Of course not. You learned one detail after another over an extended period of time. For some reason, God chose to begin His relationship with us through His written Word. Like any relationship, God wants us to learn about Him one step at a time. As Israel crossed the wilderness, God revealed one detail after another in the symbols used in His Tabernacles, His Word, and experiences during their travels. The Bible can’t be read like a novel. The student of God’s Word has to let His Spirit reveal deeper details after simple concepts are mastered.

As I prayed about this story, I asked God to show me details we had not studied before. There was one detail He showed me. It was the relationship between the death plague in Egypt and the Passover when Jesus was crucified. After compiling a number of studies on the Passover, I knew this was one I never looked at before, nor have I read or heard anyone explaining these specific details. As I prayed I could see how a number of texts explained the relationship between the first Passover in Egypt and the last in Jerusalem. This led me back to Moses announcing the first Passover.

Exodus 11:4-7 NLTse Moses had announced to Pharaoh, “This is what the LORD says: At midnight tonight I will pass through the heart of Egypt. (5) All the firstbornsonswill die in every family in Egypt, from the oldest son of Pharaoh, who sits on his throne, to the oldest son of his lowliest servant girl who grinds the flour. Even thefirstborn of all the livestock will die. (6) Then a loud wail will rise throughout the land of Egypt, a wail like no one has heard before or will ever hear again. (7) But among the Israelites it will be so peaceful that not even a dog will bark. Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites.

I asked, why would God take Egypt’s first born, and what does the death of Egypt’s firstborn sons have to do with the last Passover? Egypt rebelled against God. When Moses met with the brother he grew up with, Pharaoh answered, “And who is the LORD? Why should I listen to him and let Israel go? I don’t know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:2 NLTse). It was evident, Pharaoh didn’t know God. Just as evident as the priests who questioned Jesus at His trial. But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!” (Mark 14:61-64 NLTse).

The most striking parallel is seen in the simple word, “son.” Egypt lost their first born sons. How did this event in the first Passover point to a greater fulfillment in the last Passover? Was there a loss of the firstborn son during the Passover when Jesus rested in the grave. Were there people not covered by the blood Jesus shed? As I prayed, I felt there was a connection. I was not prepared to find the connection I found in the Bible.

“Look, I have chosen the Levites from among the Israelites to serve as substitutes for all the firstbornsons of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me, for all thefirstborn males are mine. On the day I struck down all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both of people and of animals. They are mine; I am the LORD.” (Numbers 3:12-13 NLTse).

“Take the Levites as substitutes for the firstbornsons of the people of Israel. And take the livestock of the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn livestock of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me; I am the LORD. (Numbers 3:45 NLTse).

“Of all the people of Israel, the Levites are reserved for me. I have claimed them for myself in place of all the firstborn sons of the Israelites; I have taken the Levites as their substitutes. For all the firstborn males among the people of Israel are mine, both of people and of animals. I set them apart for myself on the day I struck down all thefirstbornsons of the Egyptians. Yes, I have claimed the Levites in place of all the firstbornsons of Israel. And of all the Israelites, I have assigned the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They will serve in the Tabernacle on behalf of the Israelites and make sacrifices to purify the people so no plague will strike them when they approach the sanctuary.” (Numbers 8:16-19 NLTse).

When Israel turned down God’s offer to become a kingdom of priests, God temporarily altered His plan of salvation. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and anholy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exodus 19:6 KJV). At first it seemed like an attractive offer. What could go wrong when a nation unanimously chooses to follow God? And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. (Exodus 19:8 KJV). But after God introduced His ten commandments, laws His Kingdom is expected to follow, they immediately changed their minds. And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. (Exodus 20:18-19 KJV). Instead of proceeding with the original plan, God chose the Levites from among the Israelites to serve as substitutes for all the firstbornsons of the people of Israel. God already had a plan B which made the priests God’s first born sons. Notice how the word substitute is repeated. This was never intended to be a permanent replacement, but a temporarily substitute. Little did anyone at the time know how the priests would pretend not to know Jesus, to the same degree Pharaoh insisted not to know God. What are the parallels between Pharaoh’s oppression and the priest’s form of slavery enforced on Israel during Jesus’ days? Israel’s priests weren’t the only people against Jesus. No matter how hard Jesus tried to reach the priests, many of them refused to believe.

Acts 4:10-12 NLTse Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of JesusChrist the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. (11) For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ (12) There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:24-28 NLTse When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them– (25) you spoke long ago by the HolySpirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? (26) The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the LORD and against his Messiah.’ (27) “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. (28) But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.

When the priest’s put Jesus on the cross, time ran out on God’s plan B, which was placed all the responsibility on the Levites. It was a plan Israel felt comfortable with, but turned out as well as their request for a king. Both turned out to be nothing but thorns in the side of most people. Time proved how much power can corrupt. The time came for God to reintroduce His original plan. You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: (1 Peter 2:9 KJV).

The last Passover marked the death of God’s chosen firstborn son, the priesthood. They proved to be as corrupt and controlling as Pharaoh in Egypt. The priests took God’s simple law, rewriting it, introducing their own concepts, manipulating God’s law for their own benefit until the law and priesthood served nothing but their greed. Their sacrificial system served their lust for money. They considered total control their destiny. The spirit of revenge coupled with an appetite for more power shaped their interpretation of prophecies pointing to the Messiah. Jesus warned them, they reached a point only seen before the destruction of the world by the flood and Sodom by fire. When Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies pointing to His sacrifice, the priests could no longer be trusted with the message the world needed to hear. A change had to be made. When the priests rejected Jesus, they rejected the covering protection of His blood. God’s chosen firstborn son died on the last Passover.

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. (1 Peter 2:1-5 NLTse).

Deuteronomy 17:6 Testimony of Two Or Three Witnesses

Deuteronomy 17:6 NLTse But never put a person to death on the testimony of only one witness. There must always be two or three witnesses.

Once more we find another prophecy about Jesus with an easy parallel to find because it points directly to Jesus’ trial. Once we locate Mark’s inspired description of the scene, we see how vital these instructions were.

Mark 14:55-62 NLTse Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any. (56) Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other. (57) Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony: (58) “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.'” (59) But even then they didn’t get their stories straight! (60) Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” (61) But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” (62) Jesus said, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus was presented to the priests bound in chains. Caiaphas, the high priest, didn’t take any chances. He had one chance to do away with Jesus. He wanted Jesus to appear guilty before the trial began. Caiaphas spent long nights planning every detail. How to present the prisoner, who to invite to the trial, and a list of witnesses. It was bad enough the accused prisoner was not allowed to prepare a defense, nor was He represented during the trial, Caiaphas planned every detail down to the testimony of two witnesses.

During the trial nothing seemed to go right for Caiaphas and the other priests. Witnesses seemed confused and their testimonies did not agree. Jesus was finally convicted on the testimony of two witnesses. But even then they didn’t get their stories straight! Seeing an opening, Caiaphas thought it was safe to question Jesus. His answer was not what they expected. Jesus’ answer proved this was a court case with more at stake than the life of a single man. The priests were pretending to keep the law as much as they were pretending to conduct a fair trial. The law has explicit instructions to deal with such trials.

Deuteronomy 17:8-13 NLTse (8) “Suppose a case arises in a local court that is too hard for you to decide–for instance, whether someone is guilty of murder or only of manslaughter, or a difficult lawsuit, or a case involving different kinds of assault. Take such legal cases to the place the LORD your God will choose, (9) and present them to the Levitical priests or the judge on duty at that time. They will hear the case and declare the verdict. (10) You must carry out the verdict they announce and thesentence they prescribe at the place the LORD chooses. You must do exactly what they say. (11) After they have interpreted the law and declared their verdict, thesentence they impose must be fully executed; do not modify it in any way. (12) Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the LORD your God must die. In this way you will purge the evil from Israel. (13) Then everyone else will hear about it and be afraid to act so arrogantly.

God placed a great deal of responsibility on priests and judges. It wasn’t only their reputation at stake, but as representatives of the One true living God, the entire nation and message God gave them to deliver to the world was on trial. How could any dishonest priest or judge properly represent God? Jehoshaphat knew how important this matter was and instructed the judges he appointed accordingly.

2 Chronicles 19:4-7 NLTse (4) Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he went out among the people, traveling from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, encouraging the people to return to the LORD, the God of their ancestors. (5) He appointed judges throughout the nation in all the fortified towns, (6) and he said to them, “Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the LORD. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case. (7) Fear the LORD and judge with integrity, for the LORD our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”

Judgment was so important, God prescribed a foolproof method of conducting a case. God provided the high priest with a set of stones worn on the breastplate used to communicate directly with Him on matters too important for human reasoning. God used the Urim and the Thummim to advise priests and judges on important matters. When direction from the LORD is needed, Joshua will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will use the Urim–one of the sacred lots cast before the LORD–to determine his will. This is how Joshua and the rest of the community of Israel will determine everything they should do.” (Numbers 27:21 NLTse).

The judgment stones named the Urim and Thummim were worn on the high priest’s breastplate which covered the entire chest. Moses put the official tunic on Aaron and tied the sash around his waist. He dressed him in the robe, placed the ephod on him, and attached the ephod securely with its decorative sash. Then Moses placed the chestpiece on Aaron and put the Urim and the Thummim inside it. (Leviticus 8:7-8 NLTse). The breastplate was to be worn whenever the high priest ministered to God, and when he was called to act as judge in an important matter. With all the details Caiaphas planned, was he wearing the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim when they tried Jesus?

Mark 14:63-65 NLTse Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? (64) You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!” (65) Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.

There was no way for Caiaphas to tear his clothing if he was wearing the breastplate of judgment at Jesus’ trial. If Caiaphas was certain Jesus was guilty, why did he neglect to wear the proper attire to the trial he skillfully planned? If Caiaphas intended to follow the law, why wasn’t the trial stopped and witnesses questioned according to the law? God also planned for this detail of the trial.

Deuteronomy 19:15-21 NLTse (15) “You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by thetestimony of two or three witnesses. (16) “If a malicious witness comes forward and accuses someone of a crime, (17) then both the accuser and accused must appear before the LORD by coming to the priests and judges in office at that time. (18) The judges must investigate the case thoroughly. If the accuser has brought false charges against his fellow Israelite, (19) you must impose on the accuser the sentence he intended for the other person. In this way, you will purge such evil from among you. (20) Then the rest of the people will hear about it and be afraid to do such an evil thing. (21) You must show no pity for the guilty! Your rule should be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

The Bible provides its own evidence, defense, and witness. A room full of priests and elders, each claiming to be an expert in the law missed the details clearly written in Deuteronomy, the same book they followed while waiting for two witnesses to agree. Soon after leaving the high priest’s home, another entity pointed out the priest’s short coming.

Luke 23:13-15 NLTse Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, (14) and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. (15) Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty.

Pilate could see there was no evidence against Jesus. He may not have known about the false witnesses, but God knew every detail long before it happened, long before Caiaphas began plotting his scheme, long before the priest’s gathered to hatch a plan. God placed His witness in place long before any of them were born.

When Moses had finished writing this entire body of instruction in a book, he gave this command to the Levites who carried the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant: “Take this Book of Instruction and place it beside the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God, so it may remain there as a witness against the people of Israel. For I know howrebellious and stubborn you are. Even now, while I am still alive and am here with you, you have rebelled against the LORD. How much more rebellious will you be after my death! “Now summon all the elders and officials of your tribes, so that I can speak to them directly and call heaven and earth to witness against them. I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt and will turn from the way I have commanded you to follow. In the days to come, disaster will come down on you, for you will do what is evil in the LORD’s sight, making him very angry with your actions.” (Deuteronomy 31:24-29 NLTse).

Deuteronomy 18:1-2 Levites Will Receive No Land

Deuteronomy 18:1-2 NLTse (1) “Remember that the Levitical priests–that is, the whole of the tribe of Levi–will receive no allotment of land among the other tribes in Israel. Instead, the priests and Levites will eat from the special gifts given to the LORD, for that is their share. (2) They will have no land of their own among theIsraelites. The LORD himself is their special possession, just as he promised them.

God must have had a good reason for not giving land to the Levites after He chose “the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn sons of the people of Israel. And take the livestock of the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn livestock of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me; I am the LORD.” (Numbers 3:45 NLTse). As seen in a number of basic Bible studies, unusual things lead to deeper spiritual meanings. Many people speculate on the spiritual meaning by relying on their limited reasoning. Others claim, this is was only an Old Testament law meant for the Jews. Following such a course closes their mind to many of the prophecies about Jesus recorded in the Old Testament, which is the Good News Jesus gave His disciples to teach to the world. One of the most effective methods of locating parallel texts is searching for repeated and similar words which lead to related themes in the Bible. One of the unusual words found in Deuteronomy 18:2 is possession. Once we search the word possession in the gospels, we find a series of stories describing a question one of the religious leaders asked Jesus.

Luke 18:18-27 NLTse Once a religiousleader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” (19) “Why do you call me good?” Jesusasked him. “Only God is truly good. (20) But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.'” (21) The man replied, “I’ve carefully obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” (22) WhenJesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (23) But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. (24) When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! (25) In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” (26) Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” (27) He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”

Another important rule to Bible study is to read the preceding and following texts. The preceding verses for Deuteronomy 18:1-2 are the summary for chapter 17. They provide a specific warning for an Israelite king. The following verses also sum up the lessons being taught here, and at the same time explain why Jesus provided His specific answer to the religious leader.

Deuteronomy 18:3-5 NLTse (3) “These are the parts the priests may claim as their share from the cattle, sheep, and goats that the people bring as offerings: the shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach. (4) You must also give to the priests the first share of the grain, the new wine, the olive oil, and the wool at shearing time. (5) For the LORDyour God chose the tribe of Levi out of all your tribes to minister in the LORD’s name forever.

God provided everything the Levites needed. This was part of the relationship they were chosen to share with God. This relationship was designed as an example not only for the Israelites who turned down God’s offer to be a nation of priests, but the world. The Levites were supposed to be God’s light to the world, so to speak. Once the world saw how God provided for them, and how they returned the love God showed them, people would want to find out more about the wonderful God they served.

People looked at the contrast between the religious leaders and Jesus. Priests dressed in the finest clothing, wearing jewels and gold to show their wealth didn’t learn a thing while listening to Jesus preach for years. They saw Him heal hundreds, raise people from death, and preach God’s Word with power they only dreamed of. There was one problem. The priests felt Jesus’ views threatened their lucrative business. Priests spend long hours trying to find something to cast doubt on His reputation. They continually followed Jesus, searching for one wrong word. After years they still had nothing to use against him.

One day one of the religious leaders approached Jesus. He was one of the youngest Levites to excel to his position. This was his greatest achievement. He thrived on the prestige and respect that came with his position, not to mention the monetary rewards. All his rich friends and family were proud of him. His sights were set high and nothing could stop him, until he heard Jesus speak. One day he put aside his aspirations and goals. Something led him to ask Jesus a question in public. The other priests watched the young leader in his elaborate robes with wide bands showing his position approach Jesus. The priests assumed he dressed in this particular outfit to address Jesus. They knew how sly the young man was. The priests watched with enthusiasm and interest. If anyone could trap Jesus, this was their man. It could secure his next step on the ladder to success.

All eyes were focused on the religious leader as he asked Jesus a simple question. “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” In His simple dress, Jesus appeared to be no match for the young leader. Looks and riches never impressed Jesus. After explaining a few simple details, Jesus told the man. “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” How could the man give up everything He worked for to follow Jesus?

Most people look at the physical things the man would have to give up. Riches, gold, jewels, fine clothing. What about friends and family? Would they support him if he chose to follow Jesus? What about his responsibility to his friends and family? What about his responsibility to God?

God not only provided everything the Levites needed, God told them what was expected of them. They were not only to show the world how God is able to provide for his people, God gave them the opportunity to share everything He gave them.

And do not neglect the Levites in your town, for they will receive no allotment of land among you. “At the end of every third year, bring the entire tithe of that year’s harvest and store it in the nearest town. Give it to the Levites, who will receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all your work. (Deuteronomy 14:27-29 NLTse).

Deuteronomy 18:15-19 Raise Up A Prophet

Deuteronomy 18:15-19 NLTse (15) Moses continued, “The LORD your Godwill raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. (16) For this is what you yourselves requested of the LORD your God when you were assembled at Mount Sinai. You said, ‘Don’t let us hear the voice of the LORDour God anymore or see this blazing fire, for we will die.’ (17) “Then the LORD said to me, ‘What they have said is right. (18) I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him. (19) I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf.

The biggest question about this texts is, who does it point to? Does this prophecy apply to John the Baptist, or Jesus? Are both answers correct? Can both answers be correct? Does it make a difference? Both point to Jesus’ ministry. One to the introduction of His ministry by John, the other to Jesus Himself.

John the Baptist:

Matthew 11:9-10 NLTse Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. (10) John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’

Mark 11:29-32 NLTse “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. (30) “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!” (31) They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. (32) But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet.

Luke 1:67 NLTse Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the HolySpirit and gave this prophecy:

Luke 1:76-77 NLTse “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. (77) You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.

Luke 7:26-28 NLTse Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. (27) John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ (28) I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!”

Jesus:

Matthew 13:57 NLTse And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.”

Matthew 14:5 NLTse Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.

Matthew 21:10-11 NLTse The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. (11) And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matthew 21:46 NLTse They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet.

Luke 7:15-16 NLTse Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. (16) Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people today.”

John 6:14 NLTse When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!”

Luke 24:18-20 NLTse Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” (19) “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. (20) But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him.

Now you’ll notice, there’s not a single verse where the author identifies Jesus as a prophet. There are a number of verses showing people identified Jesus as a prophet. John and Jesus share one common trait. Religious leaders disliked both. Both were killed for what they believed in and what they taught. How many of the disciples faced similar fates? How many prophets were rejected because of the message they were given to deliver? Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. (Hebrews 11:36-38 NLTse).

Many of those prophets delivered messages about Jesus. People did not understand God’s messages when they were delivered. They didn’t believe prophecies when they were fulfilled before their eyes. Generations later people are still misinterpreting, misunderstanding, rejecting, and ignoring messages men died for, including Jesus. No wander this prophecy includes the words, “You must listen to him.” God reminds Israel, they turned down the opportunity to be a nation of priests. They didn’t want to talk to God themselves. They turned down a personal relationship with God. What parallel exists between God freeing Israel from Egypt and our understanding of the salvation Jesus offers? Why do people look at the event as an entire nation delivered from Egypt? Why are people afraid to look at the story in a personal manner? Did God deliver a nation, or a group of individuals?

In Egypt, people suffered as individuals. They worked during the heat of day as an individual. They suffered the lash as an individual whose back was scarred for life. Husband and wife felt anguish as they saw their sons taken from their home to work in far away fields and mines. Worse yet, they saw their daughters abused. They prayed as individuals, wandering why they their lives seemed of little value. Emotions, pain, sorrow, disappointment, and hope were all experienced on the individual level. Why do people prefer to look at this event as a record of history and view it on a corporate level? How can people ignore individual struggles and the lessons they hold? How can people forget and still say they are following God? Can God ever forget? Are these the type of stories God is waiting to share whenever we decide to have an individual conversation with Him? Are we still afraid to face God on an individual level? Maybe that is the reason people look at lessons on a corporate level. They don’t want to think about individual struggles or learn lessons by communicating with God on a personal level.

What is the connection between Israel asking Moses to stand between them and God, and today’s Christian religion? Some religions claim the law was done away with at the cross. The same people claim there is no reason to read and review the Old Testament. They claim it was for the Jews. They follow this course claiming they are Christians and only need to follow the New Testament. What about the 20 to 25% of the New Testament pointing back to the Old Testament? What about the hundreds of Old Testament texts quoted in the New Testament? If these people read the Old Testament, they would see how they are acting exactly like Jews traveling to the promised land. They want someone standing between them and God. Instead of Moses, they pay a priest or pastor to talk to God. They show up an hour or so a week to get filled in on the news, just in case God has a message. They don’t notice, the same messages are repeated year after year. How can an infinite God run out of material? I don’t know. After studying for more than 30 years, God has never failed to show me something new everyday. Other religions think they have a higher standard and direct path to God because they keep His law. When you look at the two extremes, there’s no difference. Both of them prefer to put people between them and God. Why? It’s a lack of a real relationship with God. They’re not sure, because they never asked God for the answer themselves… and never listened to His answer.

So you don’t need a personal relationship with God. You don’t feel a need to study what Jesus taught. God knew that long before you were born. God added, ” I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf.”

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. (Galatians 1:6-12, 6:14-16 NLTse)

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 Hanging From a Tree

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 NLTse (22) “If someone has committed a crime worthy of death and is executed and hung on a tree, (23) the body must not remain hanging from the tree overnight. You must bury the body that same day, for anyone who is hung is cursed in the sight of God. In this way, you will prevent the defilement of the land the LORD your God is giving you as your special possession.

As prophecies about Jesus’ life and ministry progress through the Bible, we come to another verse with an obvious interpretation. Instantly we know the tree points to the cross and the time Jesus suffered on it. The time may not have been long, but the pain was more than many people experience. After a mock trial conducted by Jewish priests, Jesus was beaten, then taken to Pilate for civil trial. Once again the priests influence wins out. Contrary to Pilate’s better judgment, he sentences Jesus to die by crucifixion.

John 19:16-20 NLTse Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away. (17) Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). (18) There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. (19) And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (20) The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.

Jesus hung on His cross for hours listening to the ridicule and challenges from the religious leaders gathered to watch Him die. Nails through His hands and feet were placed to inflict the maximum amount of pain. It was a form of torture designed to discourage all types of crime. Not only was the punishment painful, it was humiliating. Sun beat down on the Savior’s body. Just as the sun reached its peak, darkness covered the land, providing a small sense of relief.

How often has God used darkness to convey a message? During the flood, the earth was covered in darkness. The ark itself was covered in black tar known as pitch. Look up the word for yourself. It is a Hebrew word with two meanings. It can refer to tar. It can also refer to an atonement. While the ark was tossed and turned by a million tidal waves caused when the mountains were formed, God protected the ark like a mother protects her baby inside her womb. In total darkness the baby is safe from the world. In total darkness, God gave His Son a form of protection.

As Jesus hung on the cross, the world was covered in darkness. Many people thought it was the end of the world. Fear gripped their hearts. Had the world gone too far? Did God withdraw His love from the world, plunging it into eternal darkness? As minute after minute passed, total darkness appeared more permanent. When it finally lifted, many sat in awe wandering what it meant. They looked up. Jesus was dead.

What purpose did total darkness serve at the cross? Why did God take light away from the world for hours as His Son hung on the cross? The religious leaders cursing, jeering, and challenging Jesus could not longer see Him. Maybe He did come down? Maybe He was standing over them? Behind them? Fear has a way of taking over the mind in pitch darkness. Jesus could not see them. It was time for Jesus to make His final decision. Did the world deserve His death on the cross? Satan was doing everything to get Jesus to abandon the cause. Satan knew, if Jesus simply died, the war between himself and Jesus was over forever. Satan’s time was running out.

Is there a sort of new beginning in darkness? This world began in darkness. Then there was water. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:2-4 NLTse). God’s Spirit is compared to water covering the entire earth. Then there was light. And God separated the light from the darkness. Is this what God was doing at the cross? Was God using darkness then light to separate Jesus’ followers from His enemies? Or was God using darkness as a symbol pointing to a greater meaning? Is this a question each individual has to answer?

John 19:30-42 NLTse When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit. (31) It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leadersdidn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was the Passover). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. (32) So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. (33) But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. (34) One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. (35) (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also can believe.) (36) These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,” (37) and “They will look on the one they pierced.” (38) Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus‘ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. (39) With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. (40) Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus‘ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. (41) The place ofcrucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. (42) And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Jesus hung on the cross. His body near death with the pain of generations sin. It felt as if He bore the pain of 400 years of oppression in Egypt in a matter of hours. Heat, anguish, pain, and suffering all centered on a single body. Jesus’ weight pulled on the nails in His hands and feet. Wounds and bruises on His back sent waves of pain through His body every time he worked to draw another breath. Rome nailed Him in a position on the cross intended to made every muscle ache. Arms felt like they were trying to hold up His weight for hours. His legs cramped with indescribable pangs. Jesus’ lungs felt heavy. His body was fatigued from lack of sleep and blood. Satan studied every twitch of Jesus’ body as he waited, looking for the right opening like the flies buzzing around all three on their crosses. Birds or prey circled overhead waiting for their chance to dine. Religious leaders gathered below, celebrating what they considered as their greatest victory. To cope with the situation, Jesus focused on one thing – the plan of salvation He planned with His Father and Spirit in Heaven.

To understand the story behind the prophecies, we have to learn to look back at previous texts in both the New and Old Testament chapters. We have to see what led to both the fulfillment of prophecy and the prophecies themselves. This is what leads to a greater understanding of the overall message. It is a simple process of spending more time with God’s Spirit, who is able to reveal everything. How much more will God’s Spirit want to reveal all the details surrounding Jesus’ life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection. When we look back in Deuteronomy 21, we see details which pose questions, possibly clues about their spiritual fulfillment.

Deuteronomy 21:1-9 NLTse (1) “When you are in the land the LORD your God is giving you, someone may be found murdered in a field, and you don’t know who committed the murder. (2) In such a case, your elders and judges must measure the distance from the site of the crime to the nearby towns. (3) When the nearest town has been determined, that town’selders must select from the herd a young cow that has never been trained or yoked to a plow. (4) They must lead it down to a valley that has not been plowed or planted and that has a stream running through it. There in the valley they must break the young cow’s neck. (5) Then the Levitical priests must step forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to minister before him and to pronounce blessings in the LORD’s name. They are to decide all legal and criminal cases. (6) “The elders of the town must wash their hands over the young cow whose neck was broken. (7) Then they must say, ‘Our hands did not shed this person’s blood, nor did we see it happen. (8) O LORD, forgive your people Israel whom you have redeemed. Do not charge your people with the guilt of murdering an innocent person.’ Then they will be absolved of the guilt of this person’s blood. (9) By following these instructions, you will do what is right in the LORD’s sight and will cleanse the guilt of murder from your community.

Is there a connection between these verses in Deuteronomy 21 and another in the New Testament? “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!” Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!” And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death–we and our children!” So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. (Matthew 27:23-26 NLTse).

Some of the details are more than worth looking into. One innocent man was murdered in a field. Jesus was taken outside of Jerusalem to be crucified. The elders were to measure the distance to the nearest town. If they measured the distance to Jerusalem, wouldn’t they be placing guilt on themselves? Strange as it may seem, look what the elders said in Deuteronomy 21: “Our hands did not shed this person’s blood, nor did we see it happen,” seems to be the opposite of what the elders and priests instructed people to say at Jesus’ trial. “We will take responsibility for his death–we and our children!”

Another verse in Deuteronomy 21 adds more detail when we look back at previous studies about the prophecies Jesus fulfilled. Looking back to the Passover, we see a relationship between the death of Egypt’s firstborn and how the priesthood was taken from the Levites, God’s chosen firstborn, when Jesus died on the last Passover. “Look, I have chosen the Levites from among the Israelites to serve as substitutes for all the firstbornsons of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me, for all the firstbornmales are mine. On the day I struck down all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both of people and of animals. They are mine; I am the LORD.” (Numbers 3:12-13 NLTse). It may seem strange to find other texts in Deuteronomy 21, explaining how to deal with a stubborn and rebellious son.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 NLTse (18) “Suppose a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey his father or mother, even though they discipline him. (19) In such a case, the father and mother must take the son to the elders as they hold court at the town gate. (20) The parents must say to the elders, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious and refuses to obey. He is a glutton and a drunkard.’ (21) Then all the men of his town must stone him to death. In this way, you will purge this evil from among you, and all Israel will hear about it and be afraid.

In between we see the study on the law condemning a man on the testimony of two witnesses. Of course Jesus was condemned even thought witnesses disagreed. Once again the religious leaders failed to follow details of God’s law. Next were instructions telling the Levites they were not to own land in the promised land. Instead they were to rely on God for everything. They were supposed to show the world how God will provide enough for them to share. Levites were to share with widows, poor people, and strangers. Another example of God’s love they were to display. In the next prophecy, religious leaders were shown to look for a prophet. They were given not one, but two prophets. John was sent to announce Jesus’ ministry.

As we look back, we see a distinct sequence. God tells the priests there will be false witnesses at Jesus’ trial and how to deal with them. The priests were reminded how God gave them everything and how they were to display mercy and share. The high priest was also given the breastplate of judgment to consult God whenever an important matter was brought before the priests. Finally God told the priests they were to look for a prophet. Instead of consulting scripture, priests choose to ignore God and His Word. The people God chose to stand between Himself and His people abandoned God. Finally they hung Jesus on a cross. Darkness fell on the land. A signal for a new beginning. Once again evil reached its limit and God’s plan of salvation moved on without them.